Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I reiterate that the responsible thing to do, the best thing to do, is to go through a process in the next six to 12 months to see what savings can be made from Defence. I have had discussions with Senator Ronaldson, Senator Johnston, the govern­ment and my crossbench colleagues in relation to this. Let us go through the process of seeing what savings can be made—thoroughly, forensically, robustly—with the Defence Materiel Organisation and the Department of Defence. That is the best way of dealing with this. There are live issues in relation to the Government Actuary with respect to this. I want to get a long-term sus­tainable outcome. The best way to do this is to work through that process, and I look forward to working with the government, the opposition and my crossbench colleagues to achieve that outcome.

Question put:

  That this bill be now read a third time.

The Senate divided. [11:38]

(The President—Senator the Hon. JJ Hogg)

Question negatived.